London is one of the world’s leading food destinations, offering an exceptional choice of restaurants ranging from Michelin-starred fine dining to much-loved independent restaurants and outstanding plant-based venues. The following restaurants have been selected for their reputation, customer feedback, quality of food and overall dining experience.
1. Portland
Portland is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Fitzrovia serving modern British cuisine with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is known for its refined cooking, carefully selected produce and relaxed approach to fine dining.
Portland has built a strong reputation among London diners and has also received recognition from the Michelin Guide for its high-quality cooking.
Average review score: 4.5/5 from 505 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 113 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6QQ
Website: portlandrestaurant.co.uk
2. Scully
Scully St James’s is the restaurant of chef Ramael Scully, whose cooking draws on his Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Balinese and Australian heritage. The menu combines different culinary traditions with modern techniques and carefully sourced ingredients.
The restaurant has developed a strong reputation for creative, flavour-focused cooking in an informal but refined setting.
Average review score: 4.7/5 from 376 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 4 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4AH
Website: scullyrestaurant.com
3. Akoko
Akoko is a West African fine-dining restaurant in Fitzrovia. Its menu celebrates West African ingredients, flavours and cooking traditions while presenting them in a contemporary format.
The restaurant has earned a reputation for sophisticated food and an impressive tasting-menu experience, making it an interesting choice for diners looking for something different from traditional European fine dining.
Average review score: 4.8/5 from 105 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 21 Berners Street, London W1T 3LP
Website: akoko.co.uk
4. Tattu London
Tattu London is a contemporary Asian restaurant located on the rooftop of The Now Building at Outernet. The restaurant combines modern Asian-inspired dishes with an elaborate interior and views across central London.
Its combination of food, design and atmosphere has made it a popular destination for special occasions and visitors looking for an impressive dining experience.
Average review score: 4.7/5 from 2,827 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, London WC2H 0LA
Website: tattu.co.uk
5. St John
St John is one of London’s most influential modern British restaurants. Founded by Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver, it is particularly associated with the restaurant’s pioneering nose-to-tail approach to cooking.
Its simple, ingredient-led food and long-standing reputation have made St John an important name in London’s culinary history. The restaurant has also retained Michelin recognition.
Average review score: 4.0/5 from 1,252 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY
Website: stjohnrestaurant.com
6. Govinda’s — Vegetarian
Govinda’s is a long-established vegetarian restaurant in Soho and has been serving food in London since 1979. The restaurant specialises in Indian and international vegetarian dishes, with many options suitable for vegans.
It is known for offering freshly prepared vegetarian food at relatively affordable prices and has developed a particularly loyal following among diners looking for meat-free meals.
Average review score: 4.6/5 from 1,936 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 9–10 Soho Street, London W1D 3DL
Website: govindas.london
7. Bubala — Vegetarian
Bubala is a vegetarian restaurant specialising in modern Middle Eastern small plates. The original restaurant is located on Commercial Street in Spitalfields, with additional locations in Soho and King’s Cross.
Its cooking focuses on vegetables, grains, dips, flatbreads and bold Middle Eastern flavours. The restaurant has gained a strong reputation for creative vegetarian food and is also recognised by the Michelin Guide.
Average review score: 4.4/5 from 187 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 65 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD
Website: bubala.co.uk
8. Plates London — Vegan
Plates is an entirely plant-based restaurant in Old Street created by chef Kirk Haworth. It focuses on innovative vegan fine dining, using vegetables, grains and other plant-based ingredients to create sophisticated tasting menus.
The restaurant has received considerable attention for demonstrating the potential of high-end vegan cuisine and became the first vegan restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star.
Average review score: 4.9/5 from 136 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 320 Old Street, London EC1V 9DR
Website: plates-london.com
9. Mallow Borough Market — Vegan
Mallow is a 100% plant-based restaurant near Borough Market. Its menu takes inspiration from cuisines around the world and focuses on fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
The restaurant has become particularly well known among London’s plant-based dining community. It offers a broad range of dishes that can appeal to both dedicated vegans and diners simply looking for creative plant-based food.
Average review score: 4.8/5 from 610 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 1 Cathedral Street, London SE1 9DE
Website: mallowlondon.com
10. Mildreds Soho — Vegan
Mildreds is one of London’s best-known plant-based restaurant groups and has been serving plant-based food since 1988. Its original Soho restaurant offers internationally inspired dishes in a relaxed and lively setting.
The restaurant has remained popular for its wide choice of vegan and vegetarian dishes and its long-standing contribution to London’s plant-based food scene.
Average review score: 4.4/5 from 2,863 Tripadvisor reviews
Address: 45 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AN
Website: mildreds.com
Summary
London’s restaurant scene offers an exceptional range of experiences, from established British institutions such as St John to innovative fine-dining destinations such as Akoko and Scully. The capital is also particularly strong for vegetarian and vegan dining, with restaurants such as Govinda’s, Bubala, Plates, Mallow and Mildreds demonstrating the variety and quality available to plant-based diners.
For diners choosing primarily on customer feedback, Govinda’s, Plates, Scully, Akoko and Mallow stand out for combining very high review scores with either substantial review volumes or strong culinary reputations.